1. ANIMAL CARE STANDARDS DISCUSSED
The growing trend for animal care guidelines was the subject of a February 25th Ohio Livestock Coalition symposium. The draft status of various standards are mentioned in the article, which notes that a "patchwork" of guidelines and audits have resulted from the various sectors involved in developing them. Many within industry resent the imposed standards. PETA has been very active in getting retailers to put standards in place. Ohio rancher Gary Wilson, chair of the Cattle Health and Well-Being committee for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, said: "PETA must be regarded as a dangerous organization run by a very evil person. If Ingrid [Newkirk, co-founder of PETA] was a cow on most farms, it's safe to say, with that disposition, she'd be on the trailer." Wilson did acknowledge there is room for improvement but hoped standards would be science based. Included is a related article with specifics about Wendy's standards and audits.

 

"Animal Care Standards on the Horizon," Farm and Dairy, Susan Crowell, March 6, 2003.
http://www.zwire.com/site/News.cfm?BRD=1996&dept_id=459492&newsid=7264172&PAG=461&rfi=9

 

2. MINNESOTA'S AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY COALITION
A perceived decrease in political representation has led to the reformation of the Agricultural Commodity Coalition (ACC) in Minnesota. The organization has begun lobbying political representatives with two "briefing brochures." The brochures discuss economic and environmental contributions that agriculture makes to the state. They also include agricultural talking points and recommended actions for political candidates to take. Resource binders with more in-depth information on the environment, food safety, transportation, energy and the economy have been distributed, and in-person lobbying and a legislative reception have been conducted. ACC is now developing "Issue Response Teams" to interact with the media and counter negative representations of agricultural matters.       

 

"Coalition Provides Data on Minn. Agriculture," Poultry Times, Steven H. Olson, March 3, 2003.
http://www.poultryandeggnews.com/poultrytimes/viewpoint/March2003/1093268.html

 

3. SUCCESSFUL COMMUNICATIONS
Hoping to emulate organizations such as PETA and Greenpeace, which are "well organized, well funded and skilled in the art of championing a cause," agricultural entities are turning to motivational speaker Michele Payn-Knoper. Her new web site provides tips to help people engaged in agriculture to improve their communication and sales skills. "Not enough people speak up for agriculture," Payn-Knoper says. Her site details six "easy-to-remember" steps for more successful communication. A monthly newsletter of commentary, sales and communication advice is also available. See: http://www.mpk.info   

 

ARmedia Institute is "a non-profit research and advocacy organization concerned with vegetarianism, veganism, animal agriculture, animal advocacy, and the mainstream media." It's Advocacy Research Center analyzes U.S. farmed animal advocacy, compiling statistics and information on strategy and tactics. It also creates "effective materials that encourage the adoption of vegetarianism and veganism." The organization's web site includes links to recommended reading and a resource page. See: http://www.armedia.org/index.htm

 

"Speak Up for Agriculture!" Pork Magazine, February 24, 2003.
http://www.porkmag.com/news_editorial.asp?pgID=677&ed_id=1768
 

 

4. CARE-A-THON
For the past 3 years, an annual "Care-a-thon" has been held at the Ontario Veterinary College OVC) as an educational event to raise awareness of current animal welfare issues. The events have also served as fundraisers for animal welfare research. Farmed animal welfare has been addressed generally and specifically each year. Presentations in 2002 included one on barn fires and another on the role of corporate advisory committees in the development of welfare standards. Sponsors of the 2002 event were the Farm Animal & Sustainable Agriculture section of HSUS, the Canada Farm Animal Care Trust (CanFACT), OVC, and Scotiabank. Abstracts and other information from all three conferences are available at: http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/Associations/care-a-thon/care1.html (For 2000 information, see: http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/Associations/care-a-thon/2000/care1.html )

 

UPCOMING EVENTS (for additional events see http://www.farmedanimal.com/Events.htm )

 

5. THE GREAT AMERICAN MEATOUT: March 20th, coordinated by the Farm Animal Reform Movement (FARM). Now being observed in its 19th year, the campaign is intended to "....expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives...." (see N.6, V.2). New this year is the "Meatless Mondays" pledge. For more information or to organize your own event, visit: http://www.meatout.com

 

6. BIOETHICS IN A CHANGING WORLD: March 21st-23rd, Arlington, Va., hosted by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (54th annual meeting). Seven plenary speakers are scheduled along with panel discussions on "Training the Next Generation" and "Public Dissemination of Sensitive Scientific Information." Discussion groups will consider, among other things, "Integrating ethics in science education," "Developing a professional code of ethics," and "Environmental justice." Pre-meeting field trips are "Behind the Scenes at the National Zoo" and "Behind the Scenes at the National Museum of Natural History." For more information or to register, visit: http://www.aibs.org/meeting2003/index.ldml

 

7. INTERNATIONAL MEAT & POULTRY FOOD SAFETY MEETING: March 27th, Washington, D.C. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is holding this public meeting to "serve as an open forum to discuss challenges faced by the international food safety community." It is also intended to "provide an opportunity to share ideas and perspectives on food safety issues, discuss strategies to improve food safety worldwide and serve as a forum for fostering relationships to promote food safety." Regional and scientific perspectives will be given, and biosecurity and multi-drug resistant pathogens will be discussed. There will be opportunity for public comment following each presentation. To register, call: (202) 690-6498. For more information, visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/news/2003/internat.htm

 

8. 7TH NATIONAL DAIRY CALF AND HEIFER CONFERENCE: March 27th-29th, Green Bay, WI., hosted by the Professional Dairy Heifer Growers Association. Topics include: heifer nutrition, heifer genetics and breeding, intensified calf growth, and heifer management. Tours of 3 dairy heifer farms are also planned. For more information, visit: http://www.ansci.umn.edu/dairy/calendar/dairycalendar.htm

 

9. SCIENCE IN THE SERVICE OF ANIMAL WELFARE: April 2nd-4th, Edinburgh, Scotland, hosted by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW). Sessions include: "The Science of Welfare Assessment," "Using Science in Ethical Decisions," "Public Understanding, Science and Other Factors Influencing Animal Welfare Policy," and "The Application and Transfer of Scientific Advances to the Care of Animals." Presentations generally and specifically pertain to farmed animals. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.ufaw.org.uk/Symposiumreg.htm

 

10. SAFEGUARDING ANIMAL AGRICULTURE: April 6-10, 2003, Cincinnati, Ohio, hosted by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture. Topics include: animal care (inc. welfare policy and auditing), animal health emergency management, animal identification systems, animal production food safety (inc. biosecurity), environmental issues (inc. CWD, and composting and other disposal methods), and youth programs (taildocking and other exhibition issues). Specific seminars/meetings on cattle, horses, pigs, poultry, and sheep will discuss health concerns and biosecurity. For more information, visit: http://www.animalagriculture.org/annual_meeting/Annual_Meeting.asp

 

11. E.COLI CONFERENCE: April 7-8, Lincoln, NE., organized by the University of Nebraska. North America's leading authorities on E. coli O157:H7 will present research findings and discuss future research needs at the Second Governor's Conference on Ensuring Meat Safety. The conference will feature food, veterinary and animal scientists, microbiologists, medical scientists, and government and industry representatives. Topics include: E. coli pathobiology, epidemiology, genetics, evolution and ecology; pre- and post-slaughter control strategies; and discussion of research and training needs. The first Governor's Conference on Meat Safety was held in 1998, after a massive recall of E. coli-contaminated beef which had been processed at Hudson Foods in Nebraska. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.ecoliconference.unl.edu

 

12. UNDERSTANDING ANIMALS - PUTTING ANIMAL SENTIENCE ON THE EDUCATIONAL AGENDA: May 10, 2003, King's College, London, England, hosted by Compassion in World Farming. Farmed animal sentience will be considered in respect to science, education philosophy, religion, agriculture and ecology. Experts will lead four afternoon workshops which will enable participants to further explore these issues. For more information, visit: http://www.ciwf.co.uk/understanding-animals/    

 

13. ANIMAL AGRICULTURE "STAKEHOLDER'S SUMMIT: May 12th-14th, Arlington, Va., hosted by the Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA). "Challenges to the U.S. Animal Protein Business: Domestic and International Responses, Risks and Repositioning," is the theme of this summit. Speakers include representatives from industry, biotechnology, and government. (AAA recently announced the completion of its report on criteria to be used in assessing farmed animal care programs. See: http://www.animalagalliance.org/main/home.cfm?Section=Main&Category=PressReleases ). For more information on the summit, visit: http://www.animalagalliance.org/main/home.cfm?Section=Main&Category=ConferencesEvents

 

14. FARM ANIMAL FORUM: May 24th, New York City, hosted by Farm Sanctuary. A national animal advocacy training program and education seminar, the forum includes strategy sessions, expert presentations, networking and campaign updates. Presenters include: Gene and Lorri Bauston, Bruce Friedrich, Michael Greger, Mike Markarian, Wayne Pacelle, Miyun Park, and David Wolfson. Present to sign their books will be: Sue Coe, Jim Mason, Charles Patterson, Matthew Scully, and Peter Singer. A "Cowtail Party" is planned, along with an anti-veal demonstration and a "Veggie Day in the Park" educational outreach event. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.farmsanctuary.org/farmanimalforum/index.htm